Bob Prichard

Topic(s): Miracles

Sometimes misunderstandings come about because of unwise choices by Bible translators. A good example is in the use of the terms “Holy Spirit” and “Holy Ghost.” The term most often used in the King James Translation for this member of the godhead is “Holy Ghost” (used some 90 times), while the translators also used the name “Holy Spirit” nine times. In reality, the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit are the same, and are merely different translations of the very same words in the original languages. There is absolutely no difference between the Holy Spirit and the Holy Ghost. Some claim that “Holy Ghost baptism” is better than “Holy Spirit baptism,” when in fact they were the very same thing. Most modern translations are more uniform, generally using the term “Holy Spirit” in each occurrence, including those where the King James translators used both “Holy Spirit” and “Holy Ghost.”

The use of the words “ghost” and “spirit” have changed over the years. Generally the word “ghost” has come to mean some sort of disembodied soul or being, while “spirit” has come to mean a supernatural being or animating, life giving force. When the King James translation was made in 1611, these two words had opposite meanings, however. A good example of this is Matthew 14:26. The King James Version reads, “And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.” The New International Version, which uses “Holy Spirit” exclusively, reads “When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear.” Where the King James reads “It is a spirit,” the NIV reads “It’s a ghost,” to reflect the meaning of the words more accurately according to current usage. The disciples thought they were seeing what we would call a ghost.

Jesus promised the apostles, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come” (John 16:13). The Spirit thus revealed God’s will through the preaching and writing of the apostles. Jesus also promised the Holy Spirit as a comforter. “If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:15-17). Jesus promised His disciples that through the Holy Spirit they would be able to remember those things necessary to write the New Testament. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26). “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21). The comforting message of the Holy Spirit is still available to us through the written word of God.